Locator for casing couplings and the like



Dec. 3, 1963 D. v. cHENowETH LOCATOR FOR CASING COUPLINGS AND THE LIKE 3 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Jan. 12, 1962 r rams/E Ys Dec. v3, 1963 D. v. cHENowETH vLOCATOR FOR cAsING couPLINGs AND THE LIKE 3 Sheets-Shet 2 Filed Jan: 12, 1962 rroeA/EYS.

Dec. 3, 1963 D. v. cHENowETH LOCATOR FOR cAsING couPLINGs AND THE LIKE Filed Jan. 12, 1962 INVENTOR. V.' GL/E/VOWEH firme/Veys.

3 Sheets-Sheet 5 United States Patent 3,112,794 LGCATOR FOR CASING COUPLINGS AND TILLE` LIKE David V. Chenoweth, Houston, Tex., assignor to Baker Oil Tools, Inc., Los Angeles, Calif., a corporation of California Filed Jan. 12, 1962, Ser. No. 165,856 17 Claims. (Cl. 166-64) The present invention relates to subsurface well apparatus, and more particularly to apparatus for locating coupling spaces and similar recesses in tubular well conduits, such as casing strings disposed in well bores.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved apparatus adapted to be secured to a running-in string and for use in a conduit string disposed in a well bore, the apparatus being capable of positively locating a coupling space or recess in the conduit string and of positively inltaiicating that fact to the operator at the top of the well ore.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus adapted to be secured to a running-in string for use in a conduit string disposed in a well bore, the apparatus being capable of positively locating a coupling space or recess in the conduit string, the apparatus permitting the running-in string, such as a tubular string, to be rotated or reciprocated at will so as to be freely capable of operating a tool in the conduit string attached to the runningin string.

A further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for locating a coupling space or recess in a conduit string disposed in a well bore as many times as desired, and in a rapid manner, as a result of moving the conduit string and the apparatus upwardly and downwardly in the conduit string.

An additional object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for locating a coupling space or recess in a conduit string disposed in a well bore, which is comparatively simple and rugged in construction, and which possesses a minimum of relatively movable parts.

This invention possesses many other advantages, and has other objects which may be made more clearly apparent from a consideration of several forms in which it may be embodied. Such forms are shown in the drawings accompanying and forming part of the present specication. These forms will now be described in detail for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention; but it is to be understood that such detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, since the scope of the invention is best deiined by the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings:

FIGURE l is a view partly in side elevation and partly in longitudinal section of a collar recess locating apparatus disposed in a well casing;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1 as seen from the right thereof;

FIG. 3 is a quarter longitudinal section, on an enlarged scale, of the apparatus, with the parts in position for locating a coupling space in a well casing;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 illustrating the apparatus released from the coupling space and positioned a short distance thereabove;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-section taken along the line 5 5 on FIG. l;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-section taken along the line 6 6 on FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a quarter longitudinal section through another embodiment of the invention disposed in a well casing;

FIG. 8 is a cross-section taken along the line 8 8 on FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a cross-section taken along the line 9 9 on FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a section taken along the line 10 10 on FIG. 7.

The apparatus A for locating a coupling or collar space B, or similar recess, in a tubular conduit string C, such as a string of well casing disposed in a well bore, is mounted upon a running-in string D, such as a string of tubing or drill pipe, extending to the top of the hole and disposed within the string of well casing C. ln one use of lthe locator apparatus A, the tubular string D is connected to a suitable well packer (not shown) which is to be anchored in packed-olf condition in the well casing. It is desirable not to set the Well packer across a coupling space B, and, for that reason, the coupling space locator is used, the well packer being secured to the tubular running-in string a predetermined distance below the locator.

As illustrated in the drawings, the conduit or casing string C includes a plurality of casing sections 10, 11, which are interconnected by couplings or collars 12, there being an annular coupling or collar space B, or circumferential groove, formed between the opposed ends 13, 14 of the casingy sections and the coupling itself. The locating apparatus A includes a tubular mandrel 15, which may be deemed to constitute part of the tubular running-in string D itself, the upper end of this mandrel having a suitable threaded pin 16 adapted for threaded connectionto the lower end of an adjoining upper section of the tubular string D. The lower end of the mandrel will ordinarily be threadedly connected to the well packer (not shown), or to another section of the tubing string D depending therefrom.

Mounted on the mandrel is a body or housing structure 17 of the locator apparatus. This body includes longitudinally spaced upper and lower spiders 18, 19, each of which has circumferentially spaced generally radial ribs or wings 20 extending from the central or hub portion 21 of the spider. The wings 20 serve to center the apparatus A in the well casing C, and diametrically opposed wings have body housing members 22 secured thereto which extend between the upper wings 20 of the upper spider 18 and aligned lower wings 20 of the lower spider 19. Each of the opposed housing members 22 include L-shaped housing sections 23, the side flanges 24 of the sections embracing the aligned ribs 20 of the upper and lower spiders 18, 19, and being secured thereto, as by means of set screws 2S. inadvertent loosening of the set screws is prevented by a lock screw 26 threaded longitudinally in a wing 20 and bearing against the inner ends of the set screws 25. Each housing section 23 has outer anges 27 substantially at right angles to the side flange 24, the flanges 27 extending inwardly toward each other and in spaced relation to the mandrel 15 to provide a longitudinally extending chamber or space 2S between the upper and lower spiders 18, 19, the space being substantially closed by the outer anges 27, except for an intermediate portion thereof which is cut away, or

otherwise removed, to provide an opening 29 through which a locating member or dog 30 can project, there being a pair of dogs in the locator apparatus specifically illustrated, one being disposed in each of the housings 22.

The outer end 31 of each dog 36 is adapted to engage the inner wall 32 of the well casing C and may also project into a coupling or collar space B. From its outer end, the upper and lower sides 33 of each dog diverge in 'an inward direction, the inner portion of each dog being constituted as a pivot pin 34 comprising oppositely directed trunnions 35 slidable in lateral guide grooves 36 provided in the opposed side ilanges 24 of the L-shaped housing sections 23. Between the cylindrical pin portion 34 and the diverging sides 33 of each locating dog, the latter has shoulders 37, the shoulders and the cylindrical pin por- .a tion 34 being engageable with a flat leaf spring 38 extending lengthwise within the chamber 28, with its upper and lower ends 39 bearing against the peripheral hub portions 21 of the upper and lower spiders 18, 19, its intermediate portion 41) being capable of bearing against the inner portions 34, 37 of the locating member or dog 3), urging the latter in an outward direction, limited by contact of the trunnions 35 with the outer flanges 27 of the housing 22.

Each leaf spring 38 exerts substantial force tending to urge the locating member or dog 30 outwardly. {owever, the dog 30 can, when permitted to do so, shift inwardly, deilecting the leaf spring 38 inwardly so that the dog can pivot from an upwardly facing position, such as illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, to a downwardly facing position, such as illustrated in FIG. 4. Each leaf spring 38 extends between the side tianges 24 of a housing member 22 and also between the upper and lower spiders 13, 1g, and normally will remain in such position. As a precautionary measure, retainer pins 45 are mounted on the hub portions 21 of the spiders, extending through end holes 46 in the spring 33 to prevent the latter from creating difliculties in the event of its breakage by retaining the broken parts in appropriate position in the housing chamber 2S.

The mandrel is rotatable within the locator body 17, being guided for rotation by the upper spider 18 and by a two-piece lower guide bushing 47, the upper end of which engages a shoulder 48 on the lower spider 19, being held thereagainst by a latch sleeve 49 threadedly connected to the lower spider 19 and which depends therefrom. The inner wall 50 of this latch sleeve is spaced from the periphery of the mandrel 15, except for a circumferential cam 51 on the mandrel initially disposed below a plurality of inwardly directed fingers 52 extending from an intermediate portion of spring arms 53 of the latch sleeve formed by the longitudinally extending and circumferentially spaced slots 54 extending between an upper circumferentially continuous latch sleeve portion 55 and a lower circumferentially continuous latch sleeve portion 56. The ngers 52 extend inwardly toward the mandrel 15 and either occupy an overlapping position above the mandrel cam 51 or an overlapping position below the mandrel cam, depending upon the condition of operation of the apparatus.

The cam 51 has an upper surface 57 inclined in a downward and outward direction and adapted to engage a cornpanion lower surface 58 on the fingers 52, and it also has a lower surface 59 inclined in a downward and inward direction adapted to engage a companion upper surface 60 on the fingers when the cam is disposed above the latter. When the cam 51 engages the lower ends 58 of the fingers 52, such as disclosed in FIG. 3, a lock member 61 formed by an enlarged portion on the mandrel 15 is disposed behind the intermediate portion 4t) of the spring 3S and the inner portions 34, 37 of the diametrically opposite locating members or dogs 30, preventing inward movement of the inner portions of the dogs, although pivotal movement about their trunnion axes is still permitted. Similarly, when the cam 51 is disposed above the fingers 52 and in engagement with their upper ends 6), the lock member 61 will still be disposed in substantially the same position as illustrated in FIG. 3 (but slightly higher), behind the spring 38 and the inner portions of the lock members or dogs 30, to prevent their movement inwardly of the housings 22.

When the apparatus A is lowered in the well casing C, the lock member 61 engages the lower spider 19, as disclosed in FIG. 1, the body 17 and dogs 30 moving downwardly with the mandrel 15 and the running-in string D. At this time, the springs 38 are urging the dogs 30 outwardly, the dogs facing in an upward direction and sliding along the wall 32 of the well casing. The intermediate portion 49 of each spring can deflect inwardly, in view of its spaced relation to the portion of the mandrel above the enlarged lock member 61.

When the location is reached at which it is desired to set the well packer (not shown) below a coupling 12, the apparatus A is moved downwardly sufficiently t0 place the dogs 3) below the coupling space B, such as represented in FIGS. l and 2. The tubing string D and mandrel 15 are then elevated, the mandrel moving upwardly until its cam 51 engages the ngers 52, at which time the lock member 61 is disposed behind the inner portions 34, 37 of the locating dogs 30. As a result of engagement of the cam 51 with the lingers 52, the latch sleeve 49 and the body 17, as well as the dogs 30, move upwardly as a unit until the dogs are opposite the coupling space or recess B, the springs 38 then shifting the dogs 39 outwardly into such recess, as shown in FIG. 3, the lock member 61 being disposed behind the dogs. The running-in string D then comes to a stop, inasmuch as the reception of the dogs 30 in the coupling space B, and the inability of the dogs to shift inwardly of the body 17 by virtue of the position of the lock member 61, connects the tubing string D to the well casing C, the fingers 52 and arms 53 resisting upward movement of the cam. However, when a suflicient strain is taken on the tubular string D to overcome the inward force of the spring arms 53, the latter are cammed outwardly by the coengaging tapered surfaces 57, 58 on the cam and lower ends of the fingers, detiecting sufficiently to allow the cam 51 to snap through the fingers 52, which will then permit the mandrel 15 to move upwardly freely to a position determined by engagement of the lock member 61 with the lower end of the upper spider 18, and removing the lock member 61 from its location behind the dogs 3). As an example, a force of about 2,000 pounds might be required to snap the cam 51 through the fingers 52. The necessity for exerting such a force advises the operator that the dogs 30 are disposed in the coupling or collar space B of the well casing. Upon engagement of the lock member 61 with the upper spider 13, a continuation of the upward movement of the tubular string D and its mandrel 15 can occur, such movement shifting the body 17 upwardly, causing the dogs 30 to force the springs 38 inwardly and turning from their upwardly facing position to their downwardly facing position, such as illustrated in FIG. 4. The fact that the dogs 30 have inverted will be evident to the operator at the top of the well bore because of the relative ease with which the running-in string D can be moved in an upward direction.

The running-in string D and mandrel 15 can now be lowered, the mandrel moving relatively freely downwardly of the body 17, until the cam 51 engages the upper ends 60 of the fingers 52, which have now been shifted back by the spring arms 53 toward the mandrel, the lock member 61 again being disposed behind the inner portions 34, 37 of the dogs 30. The entire apparatus A now moves downwardly in the casing C as a unit, the downwardly directed dogs 30 sliding along the wall 32 of the upper casing section 10 until the coupling space B is reached; whereupon they are shifted outwardly by the springs 38 into such space, bringing the entire running-in string D to rest. The exertion of a sutiicient downward force on the running-in string D and mandrel 15 will now cause the cam 51 to force the ingers 52 and spring arms 53 outwardly, the cam snapping downwardly through the fingers, which allows the mandrel 15 to move downwardly to a position in which its lock member 61 again engages the lower spider 19. The exertion of a sufficient downward force on the mandrel 15 will now cause the lock member 61 to shift the body 17 downwardly, the tendency of the downwardly facing dogs 30 to straighten laterally forcing the springs 38 inwardly until the dogs shift or toggle back to their upwardly directed position, such as illustrated in FIG. 1.

The apparatus A can be moved upwardly and downwardly along the same coupling region as many times as desired, the dogs 30 entering the coupling space B upon each upward movement and also upon each downward movement. yUpon each entry into the coupling space B and forcing of the cam `'51 `through the ngers 52, the operator is advised of the fact that the dogs are in the coupling space. He can be assured of the exact position of this space and of the location of the well packer, or other tool, on the tubing string D by repeatedly raising and lowering the apparatus A along the coupling space, securing a positive force indication at the top of the hole each time `the dogs 30 enter the space. In view of the relatively large force that can be required to snap the cam 51 through the fingers 52, ra denite indication is given at 4the top of the well bore that the locating member-s 30 are in the coupling space. Once entering such space, the locating members 30 cannot shift out of the space because of the solid restraint provided by the lock member `61 disposed therebehind.

The arrangement enables the running-in string D and mandrel to be rotated without interference from the locating mechanism therearound, since the mandrel is freely rotatable in the body 17 and the parts mounted in the body. Thus, the running-in string D can be turned, as desired, for the purpose of manipulating the well tool (not shown) that may be connected to the running-in string below, or above, the locator apparatus A, and it may also be reciprocated in the welll casing, if reciprocation is required to operate the well tool. The tubular running-in string D can be rotated las many times as desired without interference from the locator parts surrounding the mandrel y15. There is no necessity for dragging any of such pants around the wall 312 of the well casing C.

'The apparatus A can be run in the well casing at any desired speed. During its lowering movement, the dogs 30 face in an upward direction and merely slide freely downwardly along Ithe wall 32 of the well casing. Similarly, the apparatus can be elevated in the well casing and removed Itherefrom at a high speed, if desired, since the dogs merely assume their downwardly facing position and slide along the wall of the well casing, being yieldably urged in an outward direction by the leaf springs 38. -If rotation of the tubular string D is desired at any time, such rotation can take place without interference from the locator apparatus. The `apparatus is simple and rugged, and can be designed to provide a substantial force in order to shift the cam 51 either upwardly or downwardly through the latch fingers 52. The necessity for such a substantial force provides a positive indication of the location of the coupling space B and of the position of other mechanism in the well casing.

-In the form of invention illustrated in FIGS. 7 to l0, the mode of operation is essentially the same as :in the apparatus described above. However, the structure is specilically dilerent, and, in fact, is simpler. The tubular mandrel 15a extends through the body structure 17a and the latch sleeve 49 secured thereto and depending therefrom. The latch sleeve is essentially the same as in the other form of the invention, its inwardly directed lingers 52 being engaged by a cam 51a which may be provided by a split inherently contractable ring disposed within a peripheral groove 80 in the mandrel 15, the ring Sila having upper and lower tapered cam surfaces l57, 59 for engaging the companion lower and upper surf-aces 58, 6l), respectively, on the lingers 52. IInstead of lthe lock member `61a being integral with the mandrel, as disclosed in the other form lof the invention, the lock member 61a is a composite structure, including a two-piece inner ring 81 mounted in a peripheral groove `82 in the mandrel 15a and held in such groove by an outer lock portion in the form of a split snap ring 93, such as a split inherently contractable ring, received within a peripheral groove 84 in the two-piece inner ring.

'Ilhe body I17a of the apparatus includes upper and lower spider members 18a, 19a, each of which has a central hub portion 21a land circumferentially spaced outwardly directed radial wings a. As disclosed by way of example, three wings 20a spaced substantially l2() degrees from each other are provided. Each wing 20a has an arcuate groove therearound opening to its exterior, merging into an arcuate recess 86. Both the groove S5 and recess `86 open through the sides of the wing. Each housing portion I22a ot the body 17a is arcuate in shape, including an elongate portion 87 provided with a central opening 3-8 and upper and lower flanges S9 extending inwardly from the central portion 87 of the housing. Terminals 99 project longitudinally outwardly of each of the ilanges 39. Both the terminal porti-ons 90 and the flanges 89 are of arcuate extent, each of the terminal portions having a radial slot 91.

Each housing member 22a is mounted in a pair of aligned wings 29a of the upper and lower spiders 18a, 19a by inserting the upper and lower ange-s 89 and terminals 90 in one end of the grooves 85' and recess-es 86 at the sides of the wings and then shifting the housing member 22a circumferentially thereinto. The housing member 22a is then retained in position in the upper and lower spiders i18n, 19a by threading a retainer screw 92 longitudinally through a companion threaded bore 93 in each spider into an end slot 91 in the terminal 90, which precludes arcuate m-ovement of the housing member 22a relative to the spiders 18a, 19a.

`Disposed within each housing member 22a is a leaf spring 95 having a locator member or dog 30a integral therewith, which extends outwardly through the housing opening 88. This dog has upper and lower tapered surfaces 96, 97, the outer portion Sila of the dog being adapted to shift into a coupling space or recess B. The ends of the springs 95 engage the inner hub portions 21a of the upper and lower spiders, loss of the spring parts, in the event of spring breakage, being prevented by retaining pins or screws 45a extending through radial openings 98 in the housing 22a and through aligned openings 46a in the end-s of the spring into threaded bores 99 in the inner portions of the spiders l118a, 19a.

In the operation of the form of apparatus illustrated in FIGS. 7 to l0, each spring 9S normally tends to assume a straight condition suicient to urge the outer portion 31a of the locator ldog 30a into the recess B. When the dog rides along the inner wall 32 of the well casing C, the inner leaf spring portion 95 assumes a slightly inwardly bowed configuration. The apparatus is moved downwardly in the well casing with the parts in the position illustrated in IFIG. 7, the dogs `30a sliding down along the inner wall 32 of the well casing and shifting into each coupling recess B by the springs 95, and then being shifted out of such recess by engagement of the lowered tapered dog portions `97 with the upper end .14 of a casing joint 11 against the force of the springs. When the locator apparatus has been -disposed below a coupling 12, which is to be definitely determined, the tubular string D and mandrel l15a are elevated until the snap ring cam 51a engages the -fingers `52, which will dispose the lock member 61a behind the locator members or dogs 30a, the entire apparatus then moving upwardly until the dogs snap into the coupling recess B. The upward movement of the dogs 30a will be caused by engagement of the lock member 61a with the inwardly bowed portion of the springs 95 just before the cam '51a engage-s the lingers 52 and just before the lock member 61a is disposed immediately opposite or behind the locator members or dogs 30a, so that inward snapping of the dogs into the collar space B will cause the cam 51a to move upwardly slightly into engagement with the fingers S2, which will then place the lock member y610i behind the dogs and preclude their inward sh-ifiting. When a suicient upward force is now imposed on the running-in string D and mandrel 15a, the cam VSla will expand the ringer-s 52 outwardly, allowing the cam to snap through such lfingers to a position thereabove, and permitting the mandrel l15a to move upwardly until the lock member 61a engages the upper spider d8a.

The taking of sutiicient upward force will now cause the body 17a and springs 95 to shift upwardly with the mandrel, the iupper tapered ends 96 of the dogs engaging the lower end y'131 of the casing section 10 thereabove, camming the dogs 36a inwardly out of the recess B against the force of the springs 95, the dogs then sliding upwardly along the rwall 32 of the upper casing section.

As in the other form of the invention, the mandrel a can then be shifted downwardly until the lock member 61a engages the leaf springs 95 immediately above the locator dogs 39a, at which time the cani 51a is spaced slightly above the ngers 52. The springs and their dogs are then moved downwardly until the dogs 30a are shifted by their springs 95 into the recess B; whereupon the cam 51a engages the fingers 52 and the lock member 61a is disposed immediately behind the dogs 30a. Exertion of suficient downward force now snaps the cam through the fingers, which will advise the operator that the coupling recess B has been reached, the lock member 61a then shifting downwardly below the dogs 30a until it engages the lower body spider member 19a. Downward force on the running-in string D and the mandrel 15a will then shift the entire apparatus downwardly, causing the lower tapered ends 97 of the dogs to engage the upper end 14 of the lower casing section Il, the upper end of the lower casing section shifting the dogs 30a inwardly out of the recess B.

The locator device can be shifted upwardly and downwardly as many times as desired, the dogs 30a moving into the recess B, being locked against inward shifting until the cam 51a snaps through the fingers 52, both during upward movement and downward movement.

I claim:

l. In apparatus adapted to be run in a well conduit having a recess therein: a body adapted to be moved longitudinally in the well conduit; locating means carried by said body and movable laterally of said body into and from the recess; yieldable means engaging said locating means for shifting said locating means laterally outwardly; means movable to a position behind said locating means for preventing lateral inward movement of said locating means from the recess and from said position to permit such lateral inward movement; and releasable means for locating said preventing means in said position behind said locating means, said releasable means being releasable to allow said prevent-ing means to move from said position behind said locating means.

2. In apparatus adapted to be run in a well conduit having a recess therein: a body adapted to be moved longitudinally in the well conduit; locating means carried by said body and movable laterally of said body into and from the recess; yieldable means engaging said locating means for urging said locating means laterally outwardly; retaining means movable longitudinally of said body to a position behind said locating means for preventing lateral inward movement of said locating means from the recess and movable longitudinally of said body from said position to permit such lateral inward movement; and means on said retaining means engaging means on said body to position said retaining means behind said locating means and disengageable from each other to permit said retaining means to move longitudinally of said body to a position permitting lateral inward movement of said locating means from the recess.

3. In apparatus adapted to be run in a well conduit having a recess therein: a body adapted to be moved longitudinally in the well conduit; locating means carried by said body and movable laterally of said body into and from the recess; yieldable means engaging said locating means for urging said locating means laterally outwardly; retaining means movable longitudinally of said body to a position behind said locating means for preventing lateral inward movement of said locating means from the recess and movable longitudinally of said body from said position to permit such lateral inward movement; and releasable latch means on said retaining means and body for positioning said retaining means behind said locating means, said latch means being releasable upon the imposition of a predetermined force on said retaining means to permit longitudinal movement of said retaining means from behind said locating means to permit inward movement of said locating means from the recess.

4. In apparatus adapted to be run in a well conduit having a recess therein: a body adapted to be moved longitudinally in the well conduit; locating means carried by said body and movable laterally of said body into and from the recess; yieldable means engaging said locating means for urging said locating means laterally outwardly; a mandrel movable within said body; lock means on said mandrel movable therewith to a position behind said locating means for preventing lateral inward movement of said locating means from the recess, said lock means being movable with said mandrel from its position behind said locating means to permit such inward movement; and releasable latch means on said mandrel and body for positioning said lock means behind said locating means, said latch means being releasable upon imposing a predetermined force thereon through said mandrel to permit shifting of said mandrel and lock means relative to said body and removal of said lock means from its position behind said locating means to permit retraction of said locating means from the recess.

5. In apparatus adapted to be run in a well conduit having a recess therein: a body adapted to be moved longitudinally in the well conduit; locating means carried by said body and movable laterally of said body into and from the recess; yieldable means engaging said locating means for urging said locating means laterally outwardly; a mandrel movable longitudinally within said body; lock means on said mandrel movable longitudinally therewith to a position behind said locating means for preventing lateral inward movement of said locating means from the recess, said lock means being movable longitudinally with said mandrel from its position behind said locating means to permit such inward movement; and releasable latch means on said mandrel and body for positioning said lock means behind said locating means, said latch means being releasable upon imposing a predetermined longitudinal force thereon through said mandrel to permit longitudinal shifting of said mandrel and lock means relative to said body and removal of said lock means from its position behind said locating means to permit retraction of said locating means from the recess.

6. In apparatus adapted to be run in a well conduit having a recess therein: a body adapted to be moved longitudinally in the well conduit; locating means carried by said body and movable laterally of said body into and from the recess; yieldable means engaging said locating means for urging said locating means laterally outwardly; a mandrel movable longitudinally within said body; lock means on said mandrel movable longitudinally therewith to a position behind said locating means for preventing lateral inward movement of said locating means from the recess, said lock means being movable longitudinally with said mandrel from its position behind said locating means to permit such inward movement; a latch member secured to said body; cam means on said mandrel engageable with said latch member to position said lock means behind said locating means; said cam means being releasable from said latch member upon imposing a predetermined longitudinal force thereon through said mandrel to permit longitudinal shifting of said mandrel and lock member relative to said body and removal of said lock means from its position behind said locating means to permit retraction of said locating means from the recess.

7. In apparatus adapted to be run in a well conduit having a recess therein: a body adapted to be moved longitudinally in the well conduit; a locating member mounted on said body for lateral movement into and from the recess; spring means engaging said locating member for urging said locating member laterally outwardly; a mandrel movable longitudinally within said body; lock means on said mandrel movable therewith to a position behind said locating member to prevent lateral inward movement of said locating member from the recess, said lock means being movable by said mandrel longitudinally of said body from its position behind said locating member to permit such inward movement; and releasable latch means on said mandrel and body for positioning said lock means behind said locating member and releasable upon imposition of a predetermined longitudinal force on said mandrel to permit longitudinal movement of said mandrel and lock means along said body and withdrawal of said lock means from its position behind said locating member.

8. In apparatus adapted to be run in a well conduit having a recess therein: a body adapted to be moved longitudinally in the well conduit; a locating member mounted on said body for lateral movement into and from the recess; a leaf spring engaging said locating member for urging said locating member laterally outwardly; a mandrel movable longitudinally within said body; lock means on said mandrel movable therewith to a position behind said leaf spring and locating member to prevent lateral inward movement of said locating member from the recess, said lock means being movable by said mandrel longitudinally of said body from its position behind said locating member to permit such inward movement; and releasable latch means on said mandrel and body for positioning said lock means behind said locating member and releasable upon imposition of a predetermined longitudinal force on said mandrel to permit longitudinal movement of said mandrel and lock means along said body and withdrawal of said lock means from its position behind said locating member.

9. In apparatus adapted to be run in a well conduit having a recess therein: a body adapted to be moved longitudinally in the well conduit; a locating member mounted on said body for lateral movement into and from the recess; a leaf spring engaging said locating member for urging said locating member laterally outwardly; a mandrel movable longitudinally within said body; lock means on said mandrel movable therewith to a position behind said leaf spring and locating member to prevent lateral inward movement of said locating member from the recess, said lock means being movable by said mandrel longitudinally of said body from its position behind said locating member to permit such inward movement; a latch member secured to said body; cam means on said mandrel engageable with said latch member for positioning said lock means behind said locating member, said cam means being movable from latchng engagement with said latch member upon imposition of a predetermined longitudinal force on said mandrel to permit longitudinal movement of said lock means along said body and withdrawal of said lock means from its position behind said locating member.

l0. In apparatus' adapted to be run in a well conduit having a recess therein: a body adapted to be moved longitudinally in the well conduit; a locating member pivotally mounted on said body and movable laterally of said body into and from the recess; a leaf spring engaging said locating member for urging said locating member laterally outwardly; a mandrel movable longitudinally within said body; lock means on said mandrel movable therewith to a position behind said leaf spring and locating member to prevent lateral inward movement of said locating member from the recess, said lock means being movable by said mandrel longitudinally of said body from its position behind said locating member to permit such inward movement; and releasable latch means on said mandrel and body for positioning said lock means behind said locating member and releasable upon imposition of a predetermined longitudinal force on said mandrel to permit longitudinal movement of said mandrel and lock means along said body and withdrawal of said lock means from its position behind said locating member.

1l. In apparatus adapted to be run in a well conduit having a recess therein: a body adapted to be moved longitudinally in the well conduit; a leaf spring carried by said body; a locating member integral with said leaf spring and movable laterally of said body into and from the recess; a mandrel movable longitudinally within said body; lock means' on said mandrel movable therewith to a position behind said locating member to prevent lateral inward movement of said locating member from the recess, said lock means being movable by said mandrel longitudinally of said body from its position behind said locating member to permit such inward movement; and releasable latch means on said mandrel and body for positioning said lock means' behind said locating member and releasable upon imposition of a predetermined longitudinal force on said mandrel to permit longitudinal movement of said mandrel and lock Vmeans along said body and withdrawal of said lock means from its position behind said locating member.

12. In apparatus adapted to be run in a well conduit having a recess therein: a body adapted to be moved longitudinally in the well conduit; a locating member pivotally mounted on said body and movable laterally of said body into and from the recess; a leaf spring engaging said locating member for urging said locating member laterally outwardly; a mandrel movable longitudinally within said body; lock means on said mandrel movable therewith to a position behind said leaf spring and locating member to prevent lateral inward movement of said locating member from the recess, said lock means being movable by said mandrel longitudinally of said body from its position behind said locating member to permit such inward movement; a latch member secured to said body; and cam means on said mandrel engageable with said latch member for positioning said lock means behind said locating member, said cam means being releasable from said latch member upon imposition of a predetermined longitudinal force on said mandrel to permit longitudinal movement of said mandrel and lock means' along said body and withdrawal of said lock means from its position behind said locating member.

13. In apparatus adapted to be run in a well conduit having a recess therein: a body adapted to be moved longitudinally in the well conduit; a leaf spring carried by said body; a locating member integral with said leaf spring and movable laterally of said body into and from the recess; a mandrel movable longitudinally within said body; lock means on said mandrel movable therewith to a position behind said locating member to prevent lateral inward movement of said locating member from the recess, said lock means being movable by said mandrel longitudinally of said body from its position behind said locating member to permit such inward movement; a latch member secured to said body; and cam means on said mandrel engageable with said latch member for positioning said lock means behind said locating member, said cam means being releasable from said latch member upon imposition of a predetermined longitudinal force on said mandrel to permit longitudinal movement of said mandrel and lock means along said body and withdrawal of said lock means from its position behind said locating member.

14. In apparatus adapted to be run in a well conduit having a recess therein: a body adapted to be moved longitudinally in the well conduit; locating means carried by said body and movable laterally of said body into and from the recess; a mandrel movable longitudinally within said body; lock means on said mandrel movable longitudinally therewith to a position behind said locating means for preventing lateral inward movement of said locating means from the recess, said lock means being movable longitudinally with said mandrel from its 1 l position behind said locating means to permit such inward movement; a latch sleeve secured to said body and having spring arms, fingers extending inwardly of said arms; and a cam on said mandrel engageable with said fingers to position said lock means behind said locating member, said cam means being adapted to shift said lingers outwardly and movable past said fingers upon imposition of a predetermined longitudinal force on said member to permit longitudinal movement of said mandrel and lock means along said body and withdrawal of said lock means from its position behind said locating member.

15. In apparatus adapted to be run in a well conduit having a recess therein: a body adapted to be moved longitudinally in the well conduit; a locating member mounted on said body for lateral movement into and from the recess; a leaf spring engaging said locating member for urging said locating member laterally outwardly; a mandrel movable longitudinally within said body; lock means on said mandrel movable therewith to a position behind said leaf spring and locating member to prevent lateral inward movement of said locating member from the recess, said lock means being movable by said mandrel longitudinally of said body from its position behind said locating member to permit such inward movement; a latch sleeve secured to said body and having spring arms, fingers extending inwardly of said arms; and a cam on said mandrel engageable with said lingers to position said lock means behind said locating member, said cam means being adapted to shift said fingers outwardly and movable past said lingers upon imposition of a predetermined longitudinal force on said member to permit longitudinal movement of said mandrel and lock means along said body and withdrawal of said lock means from its position behind said locating member.

16. In apparatus adapted to be run in a well conduit having a recess therein: a body adapted to be moved longitudinally in the well conduit; locating means carried by said body and movable laterally of said body into and from the recess; retaining means movable longitudinally of said body to a position behind said locating means for preventing lateral inward movement of said locating means from the recess and movable longitudinally of said body from said position to permit such lateral inward movement; and releasable laterally movable latch means on said retaining means and body for positioning said retaining means behind said locating means, said latch means being movable laterally to released position upon the imposition of a predetermined force on said retaining means to permit longitudinal movement of said retaining means from behind said locating means to permit inward movement of said locating means from the recess.

l7. In apparatus adapted to be run in a well conduit having a recess therein: a body adapted to be moved longitudinally in the well conduit; locating means carried by said body and movable laterally of said body into and from the recess; a mandrel movable longitudinally within said body; lock means on said mandrel movable longitudinally therewith to a position behind said locating means for preventing lateral inward movement of said locating means from the recess, said lock means being movable longitudinally with said mandrel from its position behind said locating means to permit such inward movement; a laterally movable latch member secured to said body; cam means on said mandrel engageable with said latch member to position said lock means behind said locating means; said cam means being releasable from said latch member by shifting said latch member laterally upon imposing a predetermined longitudinal force thereon through said mandrel to permit longitudinal shifting of said mandrel and lock member relative to said body and removal of said lock means from its position behind said locating means to permit retraction of said locating means from the recess.

References Cited in the ile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,944,605 DolliSOIl `luly 12, 1960 2,999,542 Myers Sept. l2, 1961 3,002,565 Moore Oct. 3, 1961 3,061,010 Conrad et al Oct. 30, 1962 Y Amr. 

1. IN APPARATUS ADAPTED TO BE RUN IN A WELL CONDUIT HAVING A RECESS THEREIN: A BODY ADAPTED TO BE MOVED LONGITUDINALLY IN THE WELL CONDUIT; LOCATING MEANS CARRIED BY SAID BODY AND MOVABLE LATERALLY OF SAID BODY INTO AND FROM THE RECESS; YIELDABLE MEANS ENGAGING SAID LOCATING MEANS FOR SHIFTING SAID LOCATING MEANS LATERALLY OUTWARDLY; MEANS MOVABLE TO A POSITION BEHIND SAID LOCATING MEANS FOR PREVENTING LATERAL INWARD MOVEMENT OF SAID LOCATING MEANS FROM THE RECESS AND FROM SAID POSITION TO PERMIT SUCH LATERAL INWARD MOVEMENT; AND RELEASABLE MEANS FOR LOCATING SAID PREVENTING MEANS IN SAID POSITION BEHIND SAID LOCATING MEANS, SAID RELEASABLE MEANS BEING RELEASABLE TO ALLOW SAID PREVENTING MEANS TO MOVE FROM SAID POSITION BEHIND SAID LOCATING MEANS. 